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Other 12PM to 16PM..no, it’s not, 17 is the one
- Thread starter jsmith1
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It seems the reviews for the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 5X telephoto have been pretty negative, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max gets no improvement in that regard.
Given that context, I am disinclined to upgrade to the 16 Pro Max this year, even though my 12 Pro Max is 4 years old now. My 12 Pro Max battery is only at 82% now, but that's fine, since I will get the battery replaced and give the phone to my kid to use, hopefully for several years.
Not only will (hopefully?) the 17 Pro Max have an improved telephoto, the phone may also get a RAM upgrade.
Given that context, I am disinclined to upgrade to the 16 Pro Max this year, even though my 12 Pro Max is 4 years old now. My 12 Pro Max battery is only at 82% now, but that's fine, since I will get the battery replaced and give the phone to my kid to use, hopefully for several years.
Not only will (hopefully?) the 17 Pro Max have an improved telephoto, the phone may also get a RAM upgrade.
Mine is doing really good and at 84% and does all I need it too…defo got my moneys worth and then some
I have a galaxy fold and my iPhone 15. I think you might be impressed by the last couple of gens of folds. My iPhone is fine, it’s primary. But using my fold feels like I’m on a starship.
I don't see foldables lasting for 3-5 years, which is how the long the wife and I keep our devices. She kept her pixel 2 for six years.
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Basic rules still apply. Get what you need when you need it.
If you’re comfortable with what you currently have, you should just stick with it. It’s pretty safe to assume that if you wait, the next model will have some [Probably Incremental] improvement. And if nothing else you’ll end up with an additional year of support.
If you’re comfortable with what you currently have, you should just stick with it. It’s pretty safe to assume that if you wait, the next model will have some [Probably Incremental] improvement. And if nothing else you’ll end up with an additional year of support.
I refuse to upgrade from my 12 Pro to a phone with a pitiful 2GB more RAM, small design changes, incremental speed and battery improvements, and AI functionality with unremarkable features and a slow rollout. With the 15 Pro already losing out on an AI feature (Visual Intelligence) before even being released, I'm certain the 16 series will lose out on features when the 17 Pro comes out with 12GBs of RAM.
What kills a potential upgrade for me is Apple's refusal to bump RAM to 12GBs this year. With the huge emphasis on AI, why are they crippling future AI enhancements on the 16 Pro by limiting RAM? All that work on an incredible neural engine and performance optimizations only to be artificially hobbled by insufficient RAM. The 12 Pro was the first phone to get a bump from 4GBs to 6GBs and has stood the test of time with excellent performance and zero slowdown since the day it was purchased (with a battery replacement a couple years ago). Since the 12 Pro, it's like Apple has spread out 2 years worth of upgrades across 4 years of new phones. Worse, it feels like these new phones will not stand the test of time like some of Apple's best releases such as the 6S from 2015 and the 12 Pro from 2020.
What kills a potential upgrade for me is Apple's refusal to bump RAM to 12GBs this year. With the huge emphasis on AI, why are they crippling future AI enhancements on the 16 Pro by limiting RAM? All that work on an incredible neural engine and performance optimizations only to be artificially hobbled by insufficient RAM. The 12 Pro was the first phone to get a bump from 4GBs to 6GBs and has stood the test of time with excellent performance and zero slowdown since the day it was purchased (with a battery replacement a couple years ago). Since the 12 Pro, it's like Apple has spread out 2 years worth of upgrades across 4 years of new phones. Worse, it feels like these new phones will not stand the test of time like some of Apple's best releases such as the 6S from 2015 and the 12 Pro from 2020.
Unless you intend to sell off your iPhone 12 prior to the announcement of the next iPhone, there's really no harm in seeing what Apple announces first before deciding whether it's worth an upgrade.
You do get a number of benefits in addition to support for Apple Intelligence and better cameras.
Iphone 13 PM - promotion, better battery (though I heard the always-on display kinda offsets that)
iPhone 14 PM - always-on display, Dynamic Island, emergency SOS
iPhone 15 PM - action button, new design
Plus whatever the iPhone 16 PM brings.
There will always be something better the following year. It's your call really.
iPhone 15 - USB-C and Apple Intelligence
I also agree that Apple refusing to add significantly more RAM and matching the competition in that regard is extremely disappointing. I don't believe 8GB of RAM is enough for future proof and Apple proved this with the basic iPhone 15 already left out for all the AI features. I have a 13 pro max, I was tempted to upgrade but after I see all the the new iphones 16 series have to offer, I have to pass. It's not worth it. I also refuse to upgrade for only 2 extra GB of RAM. The processor is already fast enough. The real upgrade comes in the RAM department. On top of that, all the AI features are only available in english for an undetermined period of time so its another major turn off for everyone who's main language isn't english (yes, that kind of people exist Apple). The competition offer AI stuff in other languages already.
On top of that, there's literally nothing new except the camera button and camera stuff. So, I guess I'll definitively keep my 13 pro max and will hope next year Apple decide to bring a serious update in RAM and add more features than just camera stuff.
On top of that, there's literally nothing new except the camera button and camera stuff. So, I guess I'll definitively keep my 13 pro max and will hope next year Apple decide to bring a serious update in RAM and add more features than just camera stuff.
That's nothing to do with RAM though. Apple left that out on purpose for those models.
The 15/16 Pro models also have 8GBs of RAM.
The issue isn’t RAM and as much as Phone functions that actually require extra RAM. True multitasking running two apps on a split screen are examples of RAM intensive, functionality that does are not Currently included On iPhones. So if you believe Apple approach: that on a phone, it’s only necessary to have one application active at a time. 8 GB should be fine.
So I think to discussion needs to be: Should Apple include true multitasking on on iPhones?
This FOMO based purely RAM size comparison is silly. And using the rationale that some advanced Mythical AI that we don’t even know about needs X amount of RAM it’s just plain delusional.
If the rumor the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the only iPhone 17 with 12 GB RAM. The question is its Apple’s plan to bring split screen multitasking functionality to the large iPhone max screen. Then it makes sense but would be a real surprise. If not that then what function requires the added RAM? Some new video capability? And please don’t just waive your arms and say “advanced AI”
So I think to discussion needs to be: Should Apple include true multitasking on on iPhones?
This FOMO based purely RAM size comparison is silly. And using the rationale that some advanced Mythical AI that we don’t even know about needs X amount of RAM it’s just plain delusional.
If the rumor the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the only iPhone 17 with 12 GB RAM. The question is its Apple’s plan to bring split screen multitasking functionality to the large iPhone max screen. Then it makes sense but would be a real surprise. If not that then what function requires the added RAM? Some new video capability? And please don’t just waive your arms and say “advanced AI”
Has it been confirmed that the new 16P 16PM only have 8GB?
I didn't think it was confirmed until iFixit get out their screwdrivers and hammers, much like the battery sizes.
8 GB RAM in iPhone17,3.
iPhone17,3 - Geekbench
Benchmark results for an iPhone17,3 with an ARM processor.
browser.geekbench.com
Anyhow, the 17 Pro Max is rumoured to bring:
12 GB RAM
24 MP FaceTime camera
48 MP Telephoto with updated tetraprism lens
Mechanical aperture to one of the lenses
Even if it only got 2 of these features, that would be a big deal IMO. Plus the 17 won’t have to wait several months to get some of these new AI features like 16 will.
No, but you're gonna have to wait several months to buy one 😁
I'm still on the fence regarding upgrading my base iPhone 11, but after all these years I was hoping some features such as pro-motion and always-on-display would have made their way down from the pro models by now. So, on the fence, but about to fall off on the "wait for the 17" side.
I have the 12 Pro Max and M4 iPad Pro, and my wife has the 14 Pro max.
ProMotion is interesting but not a must-have for me, although I realize a lot of people love it. I suspect ProMotion is going to stay Pro only for a while though. The always-on display is nice though. Not a deal killer not to have it, but a bonus IMO. (I really like the AOD for my Watch though.)
I have a 12 pro max as well. Are you upgrading this year to the 16 or going to wait till the 17?
I have until Friday until I make my final decision, but right now I'm 95% sure I will wait for the 17 Pro Max.
How about you?
Same plan here. I’m really holding out/hoping for more RAM in the 17 if the rumors are true.
I'm going from an 11 Pro Max to a 14 Pro Max. I'm saving about $600 over buying a new 16 Pro, and the 14 Pro is in great condition, and has 100% battery health. I'll wait two or three years and update once the new phones have had real major improvements over minor ones. The only hesitation I have is USBC, but Magsafe and the fact I still need to charge my magic trackpad and AirPods Max mean it isn't that big of a deal.
If rumors are true, it’s likely we’ll finally see a high refresh rate screen in the base iPhone 17. Also, you’ll be able to compare it with the 17 slim/Air and see which one you prefer.
I’ve read somewhere else that this years iPhone 16 isn’t the beginning of a supercycle (although SoC+RAM wise, I do think it is), but rather next years iPhone 17 with a new design, taller display and who knows what other new feature.
Anyways, I think supercycles are mostly over, and the iPhone will experience small improvements and refinements every year.
